Zarene's Travel: Nilandingan Cove in Cagbalete Island

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Nilandingan Cove in Cagbalete Island

During World War I, a submarine made its 'landing' in this beautiful cove in the Pacific Ocean. Since then, the locals call it the Nilandingan Cove.

We rode a private pump boat from Mauban Port to the resort. It was low tide and we can't dock right at the front of the resort so we have to walk the knee deep sea. But we were in for a surprise. There were resort staff who fetched us from the pump boat with umbrellas for us and they helped us with our bags. And, there were welcome drinks of their refreshing house blend lemonade.

The Nilandingan Cove Resort is the newest resort in Cagbalete Island. It is owned by a very hands on family supported by staff with exceptional customer service skills. They have bahay kubos, cabanas and their ground is very spacious and they have tents (with pillows & mattresses) for rent. Since we were on a budget, we just pitched our tents and swings under the big trees in their lawn. The comfort room is well maintained. They have a small sari sari store and sports equipment rental. They have generators from 6pm to 6am.

Aside from swimming, there are other attractions in the resort and nearby. There's a mangrove forest nearby. We visited the big balete tree in the mini rainforest. We went to a small river with blue, orange & red crabs. There's also a Magic Tree. It's an old mangrove tree which stood apart from the mangrove forest and legend has it that it's always clean under the tree - no falling leaves or any debris. It seems that somebody is cleaning it each morning. It has been there for a long time and not even the harsh weather of the Pacific is able to uproot it. You can also just relax in the creamy, fine sand.

But the best attraction of the resort are the 'Nature's Jacuzzi'. These are small, clear pools scattered all over the beach. So if it's low tide, you can just lounge in the waist deep pools, have drinks and relax. If it's high tide, you can ride the big waves and enjoy.

Cagbalete Island is in Mauban, Quezon Province and 45 minutes away from the mainland via public or private boat. It's a small island directly facing the Pacific Ocean. Nearby islands are Alabat Island, Polilio Island and Balesin. There's no electricity, roads are not paved and no motor vehicles. There are safe parking lots for your vehicles near the Mauban Port.